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How to Use Papaya in Treating Gout Disease
Gout is a medical condition related to arthritis, and is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. This excess acid forms into crystals, causing redness, swelling and pain in the joints. Avoiding red meat, shellfish, alcohol and other foods high in purine can lessen gout symptoms. One natural gout cure is to eat fresh papaya. Papaya contains papain, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Over-the-counter papaya gout remedies are also available, but fresh papaya is not only more potent, but also versatile and sweet.
Choose papayas that are red-orange in color, and slightly soft without being mushy. A papaya with yellow patches is not quite ripe, and will need to sit at room temperature for a few days 3. Avoid papayas that have black spots or are too squishy when you hold them.
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Slice your papaya in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Cut one half of the papaya into bite-sized chunks and sprinkle them on your breakfast cereal to start your day off with a healthy serving of papain.
Cut your papaya in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard them. Sprinkle your papaya with fresh lime juice, and eat it right out of the skin with a spoon for a healthy, gout-fighting, midday snack 3.
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Add pureed papaya to sauces, soups and stews for a sweet burst of flavor 3. Peel the papaya, remove the seeds, and add small chunks to a blender or food processor. Add cream, water or vegetable broth as your recipe requires, if it needs thinning.
Make a healthy, gout-fighting shake by tossing papaya chunks, banana pieces, milk and ice in the blender and blending until smooth. Bananas are loaded with potassium, which helps liquefy uric acid crystals.
Tips
Always wash papayas thoroughly before eating or serving them.
Warnings
Do not eat papaya seeds. The carpain they contain can lower your pulse rate and depress your nervous system
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References
- Mayo Clinic: Gout
- Whole Foods: Papaya
- Juicing For Health: Papaya
- Papayas, raw. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published April 1, 2019.
- GI foods advanced search. The University of Sydney. 2019.
- Vitamin C fact sheets for professionals. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Updated 2019.
- Vitamin A fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Updated 2019.
- Schweiggert RM, Kopec RE, Villalobos-Gutierrez MG, et al. Carotenoids are more bioavailable from papaya than from tomato and carrot in humans: A randomised cross-over study. Br J Nutr. 2014;111(3):490-8. doi:10.1017/S0007114513002596
- Ido H, Matsubara H, Kuroda M, et al. Combination of gluten-digesting enzymes improved symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity: A randomized single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018;9(9):181. doi:10.1038/s41424-018-0052-1
- McRae MP. Dietary fiber Is beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. J Chiropr Med. 2017;16(4):289–299. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2017.05.005
- Papaya- the benefits. American Cancer Society. Cancer Survivors Network. 2011.
- Cross-reactivity between papaya, mango and cashew. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Updated 2019.
- Selecting and serving produce safely. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Updated 2018.
Writer Bio
Emmy-award nominated screenwriter Brynne Chandler is a single mother of three who divides her time between professional research and varied cooking, fitness and home & gardening enterprises. A running enthusiast who regularly participates in San Francisco's Bay to Breakers run, Chandler works as an independent caterer, preparing healthy, nutritious meals for Phoenix area residents.